Fischer, Jan (Frank)

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Fischer, Jan (Frank)

Fischer, Jan (Frank), Czech composer; b. Louny, Sept. 15, 1921. He studied at the Prague Cons. (1940–5) and took lessons in composition from Ridky at the master class there (1945–48). He also attended the Charles Univ. in Prague (1945–18), where he later received his Ph.D. (1990). He won prizes from the city of Prague (1966) and the Guild of Composers (1986). His music occupies the safe ground of Central European Romanticism, not without some audacious exploits in euphonious dissonance.

Works

DRAMATIC Opera : Zenichove (Bride-grooms; 1956; Brno, Oct. 13, 1957); Romeo, Julie a tma (Romeo, Juliet, and Darkness; 1959–61; Brno, Sept. 14, 1962); Oh, Mr. Fogg, comic chamber opera after Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days (1967–70; Saarbriicken, June 27, 1971); Miracle Theater, radio opera (1970); Decamerone, chamber opera (1975–76); Copernicus (1981); Rites (1990). B a l l e t : Eufrosyne (1951); Le Marionnettists (1978); Battalion (1996). ORCH.: Pastoral Sinfonietta (1944); Viola Concerto (1946); Essay for Piano and Jazz Orch. (1947); Popular Suite for Piano and Wind Orch. (1950); Dance Suite (1957); Fantasia for Piano and Orch. (1953); Sym. No. 1, Monothematic (1959); Clarinet Concerto (1965); Obrazy (Pictures) I (1970), II (1973), and III (1977); Harp Concerto (1972); Tryzna (Commemoration; 1973); Veterni hudba (Night Music) for Strings (1973); Concerto for Orchestra (1980); Partita for Strings (1982). CHAMBER: Flute Sonata (1944); Suite for Wind Sextet (1944); Suite for English Horn and Piano (1945); Ballada for String Quartet and Clarinet (1949); Piano Quintet (1949); Ut stellae for Soprano, 2 Pianos, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, and Tape (1966); Amoroso for Clarinet and Piano (1970); Wind Quintet (1971); 4 Studies for Harp (1971); Conversation with Harp, quintet for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Harp (1979); A Fairy Tale for Harp and Flute (1979); Brass Quintet (1983); Prague Preludes for 5 Harps (1983); Duet for 2 Harps (1986); Lyric Rhapsody for Viola and Piano (1987); Hornmage a Bohuslav Martinu, suite for Flute and Harp (1988); Monologues for Harp (1991); Cante Hondo for Flute and Guitar (1992); Due pezzi per amid for Bass Clarinet and Piano (1992); Armoioso for Violin and Piano (1998); Vzpominka na Romea (She Remembers Romeo) for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Piano (1998).